Lock



Ja'r. 13. 1925. 1,522,572

E. M. BENHAM LOCK Filed July l1, 1921 i mi mi Patented Jan. 13, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDGAR IVI. BENHAIYI, OF NORK`WOOD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE- MOSLER LOCK COIVPANY,

OF COVINGTON. KENTUCKY, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

LOCK.

Application tiled July 11, 1921. Serial No. 483,674.

To @ZZ who/nt fit may concern.'

Be it known that I, EDGAR M. BENHAM, a citizen ot' the United States, residing at Norwood, in the county ot Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful mprovements in Locks, ot which the following is a speciiication.

Bly invention relates to locks, and more particularly to locks ot the type commonly known as change key locks, these being locks wherein a plurality oi' tumblers must first be properly manipulated into predetermined positions by the key bet'ore the bolt may be operated and wherein the tumblers are adapted to: be changed more or less in shape to require corresponding changes in the shape of the key. Such a construction permits of the production of a large number ot locks having the same general construction, each lock, however, being responsive to an original key which will not operate any ot the other locks. illy invention moreover relates to locks ot the above character which require two separate keys for their operation and to the type ot locks that are known commercially as double-nose change-key locks. ln this type ot lock a separate set of tumblers is supplied for each key, and in each set the position ot the key engaging surfaces ot the tumblers are adapted to be changed, thus giving an increased number of locks each differing from the others in requiring dilierently shaped keys or combination ot keys for their operation.

The construction of existing locks ot the above ty-pes has been such asv to prevent the bit ot the key from being constructed of a greater widtth than the width of a tumbler plate and in these locks many diliterent combinations oi' the tumbler shapes to require different keys, are made impractical to use on account of the small and weak bit which must be formed on the key to correspond to these combinations. Thus, the number ot practical locks which are responsive to different keys is limited.

It is one of the objects ot my invention to provide a lock ot the change-key type which permits the use ot keys having a` maximum length and strength in its key bits.

The increased lengths ot the key bits permit more play ot' the key in the key tube than has been heretofore permitted and the failure of the key to assume eXact position is not as liable to prevent the operation ot the lock thereby.

Another objectot my invention is to pro vide a lock of the change-key type which is capable otl a practically unlimited number of diti'erent adjustments so as to be responsive to a ditferently formed key for each adjustment and wherein any one or all of said changes maye be practically employed without the tear that such change or changes will require such a weakened construction of key or key bit as will make that particular arrangement impracticable.

A further object is to provide a tumbler lock wherein one or more tumbler plates also function as spacer plates between two other tumbler' plates, thus avoiding the necessity ot providing plates which tunetion only as spacer plates and simplit'ying the construction. i

ln addition to the above, my objects include the provision of a lock of the double nose change key type and one which is very ellicient and sure in operation and at the same time is strong and very durable, and one which permits the use of keys ot' stm-dier construction than has been permitted by lock mechanisms ot this class heretotore known. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

ln accordance with my invention I provide in my lock two separate sets ot tum bler plates nested together, and all tumblers may conveniently be commonly pivotcd on a pin carried on the lock casing. rlhe .platea oit' one set are arranged in alternating suc-- cession over the plates ot the other set so that each plate ot one set (except the bo1- tom plate oli one set and the top plate ot the other set) functions as a spacing plate between two tumbler plates of the other set. thus eliminating the necessity ot using plates which function only as spacer plates. One ot these sets ot tumbler plates presents noses` extending from one direction and the other set presents noses extending from the other direction. These noses are adapted to engage the bolt bar or a projection thereon and are suitably notched or recessed so that when the noses ot the two sets are properly aligned with each other and with the bolt bar, by the operation ot the keys, the bolt bar may be moved inwardly and the bolt opened. A separate key-tube and key s provided for cach set of tumblers and the two sets of tumbler plates are so designed and arranged that not only do the plates of each set function as spacer plates for the other set, but also the plates of each set are entirely out of range and away from the key for the other set during its operations. Where the keys operate, vacant spaces are provided between the tumbler plates of that set, with the resultant advantage that the key bits or steps may each be, and most conveniently are, formed to comprise a length whichr is twice the thickness of each plate. The plates of both sets are preferably made identical in thickness and the plates of each set are therefore spaced apart a distance equal to the thickness of one plate. One possible design for the plates of each set will be more fully described hereinafter.

The combination of the key bits or steps conforms to the distances the key-engaging surfaces of the various tumblers are removed from the axis of the key, and one lock may be made to differ from another, so as to be responsive to a differently shaped key, by disposing the key engaging surfaces of one or more of the corresponding tumblers of each lock at different distances from the axis of the keys. When two sets of tumblers are used, and each set comprises seven tumbler plates, and is adjusted for a separate key, over five million locks may be constructed according to the above general assembly with each lock differing from every other lock so as to require a different key or combination of keys, each lock and key being commercially practical and etticient.

In order that a clearer understanding of my invention may be had, attention is herey by directed to the accompanying drawings illustrating one possible embodiment of my invention.l In the drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a lock embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional View of the lock taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the lock; Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional View of the lock taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the lock with the tumblers, keys, key tubes and the top of the lock casing removed; Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a sectional View of the lock taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 4; Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a tumbler.

Referring to the drawings, I provide a suitable casing for the lock mechanism, the casing comprising a base portion 1 and a cover portion 2. Upon the base portion is mounted a pin 3 containing a threaded recess in its outer end adapted to rece-ive screw 3 carried on cover 2 whereby the two parts of the casing are adapted to be screwed together'. Inside of the casing and on the bottom of the base portion I mount a bolt bar 4 carrying at its outer end a bolt portion 5 adapted to extend through a suitable perforation 6 in the lock casing. Bolt bar 4 may contain a slot 7 through which the pin 3 of the base is adapted to extend to aid in guiding the movement of the bolt bar. The bolt bar is supplied with another slot or recess 8 in which a bit of a key is adapted to be seated to eect the sliding of the bolt bar in one direction or the other. The key for operating the bolt bar is des'- ignated 9 in the drawings and is provided at its lower end with a bit 10 which is adapted to seat within the recess 11 formed in a cam member 12 which is pivotally mounted about key-post 13. A projection 14 of cam member 12 is adapted to be moved upon the turning of the key to cooperate with the bolt bar at the sides of a recess 8 13p effect the locking or unlocking of the olt. v

In cooperation with the above mechanism I mount a stud 15 on bolt bar 4, or form this projection integrally thereon, and about post 3 I commonly and pivotally mount a plurality of tumbler plates which, when the bolt and bolt bar are Ain locking position, present surfaces which abut against the rear of projection 15 so that the lock may not be opened until these tumblers have been adjusted into a certain predetermined position. As shown, the tumbler plates are divided into two sets, each comprising seven separate tumbler plates. The tumblers of one set are all designated 16 and each has a nose 17 adapted to abut against the rear face of stud 15 and a recess 18 in the nose into which the stud 15 is adapted to be moved when recess 18 is properly aligned therewith. These tumblers are also supplied. with a perforation 19 through which rod 3 is' adapted to extend and a spring 2O is firm ly att-ached at one end to these tumbler plates 16 and has its opposite end engaging against a portion 21 of the casing in such a way that the tumblers are continually urged to assume a certain predetermined normal position when they are freed from the ac tion of a key. Each tumbler of the other set is designated 22 and contains a nose 23, recess 24 therein,'and perforation 25, all similar to the corresponding elements of the tumbler 16. These tumblers are also provided with springs 26 fastened at one end to the tumbler and bearing at their opposite ends against a portion of the casing 1, as at 27. The tumblers of one set, such as 16, are mounted about posts 3 in alternating succession with respect to the tumblers of the other' set, such as 22, so that each of the tumblers of yone set, such as 16, except the bottom tumbler, will be positioned between two tumblers of the other set 22, and each tumbler of that set, such as 227 excepting the top tumbler thereof, will be positioned between two tumblers of the set which comprises tumbler 16. Each of the tumblers of both sets is recessed as at 28 between the portion which is disposed about the post 3 and it nose portion 17 or 23. The tumbler plates 16 of one set are so mounted that their noses 17 will extend in one direction and the tumbler plates 22 of the other set are so mounted that their noses 23 will eX- tend in the opposite direction and the intermediate portions 29 of the tumbler plates 16 are disposed toward one side of the casing and the intermediate portions 30 of the tumbler plates 22 are disposed toward the opposite side of the casing and away from the portions 29. By so designing and mounting the two sets of the tumbler plates a space 31 is provided vertically therebetween, and vertically through this space I mount a key rod 32. This key rod is so positioned that a suitable key such as 9 having tumbler bits 33 will be so guided that the tumbler bits 33 will be brought into contact with a predetermined portion 29 of the recess 28. Thus, surface 29k of the tumbler plate 16 provides the key engaging surfaces.

l extend each of tumbler plates 22A rearwardly to form projections 3st adapted to extend adjacent one side of a. second key rod 35 mounted on base portion 1 of the casing. The inner surfaces 36 of these projecting portions 34 comprise the key engaging surfaces of the tumbler plates 22 and are adapted to be engaged by the bits 37 of a key 38 when positioned in key rod 35. Since no portion of the tumbler plates 2 are present between the tumbler plates 16 where these plates are adapted to be engaged by the key 9, and since no portion of the tumbler plates 16 are positioned between any of the tumbler plates 22 at their portions 311, where they are adapted to be engaged by the key 38, it is readily apparent that each of the bits 33 of key 9 and each of the bits 37 of key 38 may be made twice the width of each tumbler plate. As a result of the increased size of the key bits a sturdier construction of the key is permitted and the key does not have to be so exactly positioned to effect the operation of the tnmblers.

By reason of the portions of the tumblers about the post 3 and at their noses and which are positioned in between corresponding portions of other tumbler plates, the tumbler plates of one set act as spacer plates for the other set and no plates which function solely as spacer plates, are necessary.

The operation of the lock is as follows: The key 38 is inserted into the key tube 39 and turned. During this operation the bits 37 will engage the surfaces 36 of the tumbler plates 22 and, when the key has been fully turned, will have brought all the recesses 24 in the tumbler plates 22 into proper alignment behind stud 15 of bolt bar 4. Then key 9 is inserted into key tube 410 and turned. During the first part of the turning of key 9 its bits 33 will engage the key engaging surfaces 29 of the tumbler plates 16 and will move recesses 18 into proper alignment with recesses 24 of the tumbler plates 22 and behind stud 15 of bolt bar 4, so that the stud 15 may be moved into the recesses 18 and 241 inwardly of the noses 17 and 23 of the tumbler plates. Upon further movement of key 9 cam 12 will be moved by reason of the engagement of bit 10 therewith, and will dra-w back bolt bar a. The lock is now in unlocking condition. Upon operating the keys in the reverse direction stud 15 of the bolt bar will be moved out of recesses 18 and 24 of the tumbler plates and the tumbler plates will springback and assume their normal locking position under the action of springs 2O and 26.

The bits 33 of the key 9 are designed and formed in accordance with the positions of the key engaging surfaces 29 of the tumbler plates 16, and the key bits 37 of the key 38 are designed and formed in accordance with the positions of the respective key engaging surfaces 36 of the tumbler plates By changing the distance of one or more of the key engaging surfaces 29 of the plat-es 16 from key rod 32 the lock is made responsive to a differently designed key operating in key tube 10, and also by changing the distance of one or more of the key engaging surfaces 36 of the tumbler' plates 22 from the key post 35, a differently designed and shaped key is required for operating in key tube 39. All the tumbler plates may con-l veniently be made of the same thickness and since where a key engages a tumbler plate there is a space on each side equal to the thickness of the plate, in consequence, I have found it possible to construct a very compact lock comprising 14 tumblers, the key engaging surfaces of which are adapted to over five million dierent combinations, and each of these combinations require an originally shaped key, and no two keys may be used together to open more than one of the locks so produced. Each bit is preferably made twice the thickness of a tumbler plate. For example, when I construct my tumbler plates so as to be 40/ 1000 of an inch in thickness, I construct my keys so that each bit will be /1000 of an inch long.

As many changes `could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim is: i

1. In a lock of the character described, in combination, a pin, a plurality of tumblers commonly pivoted on said pin, two key tubes, some of said tumblers being operable from one of said key tubes and others of said tumblers being operable from the other of said key tubes.

2. In a lock of the character described, in combination, a pin, a plurality of tumblers commonly pivoted on said pin, two key tubes on opposite sides of said pin, some of said tumblers being operable in onerdirection from one of said key tubes and others of said tumblers being operable in the opposite direction from the other o'f'said key tubes.

3. In a lock of the character described, in combination, a plurality of nested tumblers each of said tumblers constituting a spacer plate for one or more of the other tumblers, two key tubes, some of said tumblers being operable from one of said tubes, and other tumblers being operable from the other tube. 4. In a lock of the character described, in combination, two sets of alternately overlapping tumblers, operable in opposite directions, two key tubes each set being operablev :from a different one of said key tubes.

5. In a lock of the character described, in combination, a pin, two sets of alternately overlapping tumblers commonly pivoted on said pin, two key tubes, each set of tumblers being operable from a different one of said key tubes.

6. In a lock of the character described, 'in combination, a pin, two sets of alternately overlapping tumblers commonly pivoted on said pin and operable in opposite directions, two key tubes on opposite sides of said pin, one set of tumblers being operable in one direction from one of said key tubes and the other set being operable in the opposite direction from the vother key tube.

tubes on opposite sides of said pin, one for each set, and one set of tumblers having tails V adjacent one of said key tubes so as to be operable therefrom.

8. In a lock of the character described, the combination with a bolt bar and two sets of alternately overlapping tumblers operable in opposite directions, of means, including a stud on said bolt bar and oppositely movable noses provided by said tumbler sets, for clogging said stud to prevent movement of said bolt bar in unlocking direction, each of said noses having a recess movable into alignment behind said stud to permit unlocking movement of said bolt bar, a key for operating one of said sets of tumblers and another key for operating the other set of tumblers and for moving said bolt bar into unlocking position.

9. In a lock of the character described, the

combination with a bolt bar and two sets of f alternately overlapping tumblers operable in opposite directions, of means, including a stud on said boit bar and oppositely movable noses provided by said tumbler sets, for dogging said stud to prevent movement of said bolt bar in unlocking direction, each of said noses having a recess movable into alignment behind said stud to permit unlocking movement of said bolt bar, two spaced key tubes, a key operable in one of said key tubes for actuating one of said tumbler sets, and another key operable in the other key tube for actuating the other tumbler set.

This specification signed and witnessed this 29th day of June, 1921.

` EDGAR M. BENHAM. Witnesses:

JNO. J. SCOTT, M. BROWN. 

